Button attachment and cufflink keeper



Dec. 1, 1970 F. E. SCHUCHMAN, SR; ETAL 3,543,354

BUTTON ATTACHMENT AND CUFFLINK KEEPER Filed Aug. 26, 1968 x 26 I Fig.5 9 9 3 24 8 a 29 25 /4 F0 3 \l 4 g 2/ l /0 v 4: I! l2 l2 INVENTORS 22 FEEDEEICKESCHUCl/MM BY DA v/o L M/ TCHELA, J2. ('AkorusesC/moruaes FIE/R Arron/5Y5 United States Patent 3,543,354 BUTTON ATTACHMENT AND CUFFLINK KEEPER Frederick E. Schuchman, Sr., Box 348, Coraopolis, Pa. 15108, and David L. Mitchell, Jr., River-view Road, Glenwillard, Pa. 15046 Filed Aug. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 755,131 Int. Cl. A4411 1/14, 5/00 US. Cl. 24-41 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An attachment for cufilinks, buttons and the like which is employed as a decorative cufilink keeper to prevent loss of the cufilink or as a decorative button cover. The attachment consists of a body element of any desired shape which has a top and bottom face. A bifurcated arm is secured to the body near the perimetral edge of the bottom face to provide two flexible prongs which extend coextensively with each other adjacently across the bottom face. The prongs flex both in the horizontal and vertical plane relative to the body element to provide a snapping action when the pivotal cross link bar of a cufllink or a button is slid under the flexible prongs with its stem or threaded attachment, respectively, received between the prongs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cllfilil'lks generally employed for the fastening of shirt cuffs are prone to be lost during the normal course of activities of the wearer. Through normal arm movements of the wearer, the pivotal cross bar keeper of the cufllink, which is normally positioned transverse to the stem of the cufilink to retain the cuffs together, may easily be accidentally urged to align itself with the cufilink stem thereby permitting the cuffiink to slide through the button holes provided in the culf.

The conventional cufllink is also prone to work itself through the button holes provided in the cuff even though the cross link keeper bar remains transverse to the stem of the cufllink.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a cufilink keeper or a button cover which is decorative, easy to apply and reliable in its ability to remain attached to the cufilink or button. I

The attachment of the present invention comprises a body element having a top and botton face. A bifurcated arm is secured to the body element in proximity to the perimetral edge of the bottom face and provides two flexible prongs which extend coextensively across the bottom face in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the bottom face. The extended ends of the prongs are spaced closer to the bottom face than the portions thereof which immediately precede these extended ends. This requires that the button or cufilink cross bar spread the prongs outwardly from the bottom face of the body ele-' ment before it is permitted to slip under and placed in retention of the flexible prongs. The stem of the cufilink or the thread connection of the button, whichever the case may be, is then received between the two flexible prongs.

The narrow space provided at the extended ends of the prongs relative to the bottom face of the body element Nice;-

may be provided with enlargements adjacent the ends of the prongs.

Opposed enlargements may also be provided on the inner surfaces of the prongs adjacent their extended ends to form a narrow therebetween which extends into an eye at the base of the bifurcation.

The object of these above mentioned enlargements placed at the etxended ends of the prongs is to require the prongs to spread in relation to each other when receiving the stem of a cufilink or the threaded connection of a button or to spread outwardly away from the bottom surface of the attachment when sliding the pivotal cross link bar of a cufflink or a button thereunder between the prongs and the bottom surface of the attachment. In either case, after the object has passed the narrow portion or area, it is received in a larger portion or eye which then permits the flexible prongs to resume their normal or unflexed position or at least to substantially resume this position.

The pivotal cross link bar of the cufllink or the button, whichever the case may be, is retained so to speak in snapped engagement under the prongs, and the stem of the cufllink or the button may also be held in snappedengagement to aid in preventing the same from becoming accidentally dislodged from between the flexible prongs of the bifurcated arm.

The attachment of the present invention is further characterized by a recess in the bottom of the body element of the attachment when it is employed as a button cover in order to receive therein a button or the like.

A further object of the present invention is provided in the decorative feature of the outside or top face of the attachment element. This body is provided preferably with a decorative surface which permits selective change of button color and style in accordance with ones desires and further provides a double cufilink which is decorative on both sides of the cuff which it secures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide snap-on covers of different decorative style which may be readily snapped over the aforementioned attachment to quickly and inexpensively change the ornamental appearance thereof.

From the foregoing it becomes evident that the attachment comprising this invention has three functional features. First, the attachment may be used to lock in position cufilinks on shirt or blouse cuffs. Secondly, the attachment can be used as an extra cufllink in the sense that it may be provided with a decorative outer facing and positioned to be retained on the cross bar of a cufllink, the latter of which is positioned through the shirt or blouse culf in a reverse direction. Thirdly, the attachment may be used as a temporary button cover with an outer decorative facing for dresses, coats, suits, etc., without removal of the original buttons on such wearing apparel in order to provide a striking and refreshing change in the wearing apparel appearance.

Other objects and advantages appear hereinafter in the following description and claims.

The drawings show for the purposes of exemplification without limiting the invention or claims thereto, certain practical embodiments illustrating the principles of this invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as taken along line 33 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view in side elevation and partial section illustrating another embodiment of the present invention when employed as a button cover.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of the attachment shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view in side elevation illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the attachment 1 is mounted on the cutflink 2 to prevent accidental loss of the cufliink when wearing the same and to further provide exposed decorative faces at both ends of a cufflink.

The attachment 1 consists of a body element 4 which has a top face 6 and a bottom face 7. The top face 6 is preferably decorative to provide a pleasing ornamental appearance.

A bifurcated arm 8 is secured at its base 9 to the bottom face 7 and in proximity to its permitral edge 10. The bifurcated arm 8 provides two flexible prongs 11 which extend coextensively across the bottom face 7 in a plain substantially parallel thereto and spaced therefrom. The extended ends 12 of the prongs 11 are spaced closer to the bottom face 7 as indicated at 13, than those portions 14 immediately preceding thereto.

The flexible prongs 11 may be made of any suitable flexible material such as a flexible metal or plastic which can preferably withstand repeated flexing without undue fatigue.

The narrow 13 is provided in this particular embodiment with the enlargements 15 which require the flexible prongs 11 to flex away from bottom face 7 when the pivotal cross bra 16 of the cufllink 2 is inserted under the prongs 11 by urging the same through narrow 13 into eye 17 formed by the portions 14 of the bifurcated arm 8.

The flexible bifurcated arm 8 as shown in these figures continually applies pressure against the pivotal cross bar 16 while it is being retained within the eye 17 formed by the bifurcated arm 8 and the bottom face 7. Thus bifurcated arm 8 is continuously applying pressure relative to the bottom face 7 against the bar 16. This helps to assure'that bar 16 will not accidentally dislodge itself through the narrows 13; however, the keeper or attachment 1 will work equally well if the transverse bar 16 does have a loose fit within the eye 17 of the attachment 1.

The cufllink stem 18, which is secured to the head 19 of the cufilink 2, is permitted to extend through the eye 20 of the bifurcated arm 8. As best indicated in FIG. 3, this eye 20 is also provided with a narrow 21 which is slightly narrower than the thickness of stem 18 to require separation of spreading of the prongs 11 upon passage of the cufflink stem 18 therethrough.

The narrow 21 in this instance is provided with opposed enlargements 22 adjacent the ends of the prongs 11.

The prongs 11 are provided with graduated or curved surfaces 23 to permit easy sliding engagement and disengagement of the cufflink 2 from the attachment 1 as indicated in the figures.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is given the same reference numerals as the corresponding elements found in FIGS. 1 through 3.

In this embodiment, the attachment 1 is utilized as an ornamental button cover and in this instance covers button 16' which is secured to fabric 24 of a garment by means of stem 18' comprising the thread 25. The structure in all respects is identical in principle to that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. However, the structure of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be provided with a recess 26 in the bottom of the body element 4 to receive the button 16.

It is obvious, that the button need not entirely fill the recess 26 of the attachment 1. In other words, the same ornamental attachment m y be applied to a ut on of 4 smaller size. Sufiicient vertical and horizontal flexibility is provided in the prongs 11 to receive a button of smaller size without any fear of having the button accidentally dislodged.

The attachment shown in FIG. 6 is in most respects similar to that shown in the foregoing figures and similar elements are therefore given the same reference numerals. The attachment 1 of the figure is provided with a snap-on ornamental cover 24 having the ornamental face 25 and the annular wall 26 which is sufliciently flexible to permit snapping engagement between annular shoulders 27 and 28 such that the body element 4 is securely received within the recess 29 of cover 24.

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment for cufllinks, buttons and the like comprising a body element having top and bottom faces, a bifurcated arm secured to said body element in proximity to the perimetral edge of said bottom face and providing two flexib e prongs extending coextensively across said bottom face in a plane substantially parallel thereto and spaced therefrom, the extended ends of said prongs spaced closer to said bottom face than the portions immediately preceding said extended ends, said attachment characterized by an enlargement adjacent the extended ends of each of said prongs to provide closer spacing of said extended ends relative to said bottom face.

2. The attachment of claim 1 characterized by a pair of opposed enlargements on the inner surfaces of said prongs adjacent said extended ends to form a narrow therebetween leading into an eye at the base of said bifurcated arm.

3. The attachment of claim 1 characterized by a recess in said bottom face to receive a button or the like.

4. An attachment for cufilinks, buttons and the like comprising a body element having top and bottom faces, a bifurcated arm secured to said body element in proximity to the perimetral edge of said bottom face and providing two flexible prongs extending coextensively across said bottom face in a plane substantially parallel thereto and spaced therefrom, the extended ends of said prongs spaced closer to said bottom face than the portions immediately preceding said extended ends, said attachment characterized by a cover having means to snap over the perimetral sides of said body element and cover said top face.

'5'. A safety attachment for cufflinks consisting of a cufllink having secured thereto a stem with a cross bar pivotally secured to an end thereof, a body element having top and bottom faces, a bifurcated arm curved inwardly toward said body element bottom face and consisting of a base secured in proximity to the perimetral edge of said bottom face and providing two flexible prongs extending across said bottom face in spaced relation thereto, enlargements adjacent the ends of each of said prongs in opposite but spaced relation to said body element bottom to provide a space narrower than the thickness of said cross bar, said prongs receiving said cufflink cross bar when in a position normal to said stem, the latter being retained between said prongs.

6. A decorative cover attachment for buttons attached to material comprising a body element having top and bottom faces, a bifurcated arm curved inwardly toward said body element bottom face and consisting of a base secured in proximity to the perimetral edge of said bottom and providing two flexible prongs extending across said bottom in spaced relation thereto, a button receiving recess in said bottom, a button received in said recess as centrally attached to material, said prongs receiving said central attachment of said button therebetween and engaging said button to retain the same within said recess, an enlargement adjacent the extended ends of each of said prongs to provide close spacing of said extended ends relative to said bottom face, a pair of opposed enlargements on the. inner surfaces of said prongs adjacent said 6 extended end to form a narrow therebetween leading into 2,577,723 12/ 1951 Groh 24--113 an eye at the base of said bifurcated arm. 2,880,487 4/ 1959 Ryan 24113 3,343,230 9/1967 Darvie 24113 References Cited 3,353,231 11/1967 Levine 24-113 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 744,298 11/1903 Corbet 24 41 STEPHEN J. NOVOSAD, Prlmary Examlner 1,520,395 12/ 1924 Becker 24113 U s L 1,747,322 2/1930 Riker 24113 

